IMAX Corporation has renewed its deal with Walt Disney Studios that will allow films from Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm to continue to be released on the large format theaters. This includes the upcoming Captain America: Civil War and Star Wars: Rogue One, among other films.
The renewal is a win for both companies, but particularly meaningful for IMAX. Disney controls some of the most successful blockbuster franchises in the industry and now IMAX will continue to capitalize on the extra attendance they bring. Disney will also benefit from the format’s higher ticket prices that inflate their box office revenue.
Captain America: Civil War is the third film in the Captain America series that is loosely based on one of the property’s most famous storylines. It follows a divide in The Avengers when the government requires all superheros to register after a group of amateur heroes accidentally destroy a school bus full of children. Captain America and Iron Man lead the two opposing factions. Avengers: Age of Ultron, which will hit theaters on May 1, is expected to plant the seeds for the conflict that will play out when Civil War is released on May 6, 2016.
Not much is known about Rogue One at this point. We do know the movie will star Ben Mendleson (The Place Beyond the Pines) and Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything). Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) will direct and Chris Weitz (Cinderella) is writing the script. Rumors point to the film focusing either on the Rogue Squadron group of Rebel Alliance pilots or Boba Fett and other bounty hunters. It has a release date of December 16, 2016, between Episode VII: The Force Awakens and Episode VIII.
Along with upcoming Star Wars and Marvel films, other family-friendly Disney titles like Toy Story 4 and Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass will also be able to make their way to IMAX screens.